Take pictures of the screen

You can take pictures (called screenshots) of the whole screen or a part of it by pressing certain keys on the keyboard. For example, to take a picture of the whole screen, press Shift-Command-3.

Screenshots are saved automatically as .png files on the desktop; the filename begins with “Screen Shot” and includes the date and time it was taken.

Tip: To copy a screenshot so you can paste it somewhere—like in an email or to another device—press and hold the Control key while you press the other keys. For example, to copy the whole screen, press Shift-Command-Control-3.

Take a picture of part of the screen

Press Shift-Command-4.

Move the crosshair pointer to where you want to start the screenshot.

Press the mouse or trackpad button, then drag over the area you want to capture.

When you’re ready to take the screenshot, release the mouse or trackpad button.

To cancel, press Escape before you release the mouse button.

Take a picture of a window or the menu bar

Press Shift-Command-4.

Press the Space bar.

Move the camera pointer over the area to highlight it, then click.

To cancel, press Escape before you click.

Take a picture of a menu

Open the menu to display the menu commands.

Press Shift-Command-4.

Drag the crosshair pointer over the entire menu.

If you want to exclude the menu’s title, press Shift-Command-4, press the Space Bar, move the camera pointer over the menu to highlight it, then click.

Some apps, such as DVD Player, may not let you take pictures of the screen.